Sign up to receive Providence Business News' newsletters and breaking news alerts.

ENVIRONMENT

Whitehouse awarded inaugural ocean service award

SEN. SHELDON WHITEHOUSE has been recognized by the Consortium for Ocean Leadership for his dedication to the oceans and ocean science. Whitehouse will receive the inaugural Admiral James D. Watkins Award at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School for Oceanography on Thursday.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse will receive the inaugural Admiral James D. Watkins Award for dedication to the oceans and ocean science from the Consortium for Ocean Leadership.

The ceremony will take place at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography at 4 p.m. on Thursday.

The award is named after Navy Admiral James D. Watkins, who died in July. Watkins dedicated his life to public service with “extraordinary influence on the marine science community and ocean policy,” according to the consortium.

Watkins chaired the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, served as the chief of Naval Operations, Secretary of Energy, president of the Consortium for Ocean Research and Education, and established the National Ocean Science Bowl competition.

“The James D. Watkins Award is presented only when the highest standard of merit has been proven and recognizes those who have distinguished themselves as champions of ocean science through sponsorship of legislation, development of sound ocean policy, or promoting federal investment to advance the field of oceanography,” said a release from the nonprofit.

Whitehouse, a Democrat, was chosen for the inaugural award in recognition of his work as a founding co-chair of the Senate Oceans Caucus, his work with the National Endowment for the Oceans and for helping to pass the Estuary Restoration Act.

To commemorate the event, the URI Bay Campus is hosting a series of events from 2 to 4 p.m. on Thursday.

At 2 p.m. Robert Gagosian, president of the Consortium for Ocean Leadership, will present a lecture called “Oceanography Amidst a Fiscal Cliff.” At 3 p.m., there will be a tour of GSO’s Inner Space Center and at 4 p.m., the senator will receive his award.

The lecture and award presentation will take place in the Corless Auditorium in the Watkins Building on URI’s Narragansett Bay Campus.

Keywords

Sheldon Whitehouse,
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse,
Admiral James D. Watkins,
Admiral James D. Watkins,
university of rhode island,
uri graduate school of oceanography,
robert Gagosian,
consortium for ocean leadership,
inner space center,
senate oceans caucus,
national endowment for the oceans,
estuary restoration act,
u.s. commission on ocean policy,
consortium for ocean research and education,
extraordinary influence on the marine science community and ocean policy,
narragansett bay campus

Comments

CONGRATULATIONS to Senator Whitehouse and the effort put forward by the Consortium for Ocean Leadership, to recognize the quality work that is demonstrated to our precious, vast and mysterious ocean floors to honor the life & legacy of Admiral James D. Watkins through such an oustanding 'Award'.

Business Women nominations are now open. Nominate women who are Leaders in their field, and Women to Watch, who have potential to be tomorrow's leaders. And, tell us of Career Achievers and Great Mentors! Deadline April 17th.

Get the most up-to-date data on the Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts business community from the PBN List Center. Download and purchase PBN Lists as well as the complete Book of Lists in Excel format.